Equinor and Polenergia Secure Final Environmental Decision for the Bałtyk 1 Project – Paving the Way for Poland’s Largest Planned Offshore Wind Farm

The decision was issued by the Regional Director for Environmental Protection (RDOŚ) in Gdańsk. This marks a milestone in the further development of what could be the largest offshore wind farm in the Polish part of the Baltic Sea. Bałtyk 1, a project developed jointly by Equinor and Polenergia is being prepared for Poland’s 2025 offshore auction. To uphold industry activity and leverage the full potential of offshore wind energy for Poland, both companies emphasize the critical importance of holding the auction this year and to engage domestic companies in the execution of offshore wind projects.

– This is an extremely important moment for the Bałtyk 1 project, bringing us closer to participating in the auction of the second phase of offshore development. Holding it in 2025 will ensure continuity between the first and second phases of offshore wind development, avoiding unnecessary delays and maximizing the energy potential of the Polish sea. Equally important, it will enable a smooth integration of Polish companies into the construction process and boost local content. As the largest offshore wind farm currently under development in Poland, Bałtyk 1 plays a vital role in achieving this goal, – noted Adam Purwin, CEO of Polenergia S.A.

– The environmental decision for the Bałtyk 1 project—the most advanced initiative in the second phase of offshore wind development in Poland—is a significant milestone. Bałtyk 1 has already obtained a permit for the installation and maintenance of offshore cables, as well as a grid connection agreement with the transmission system operator. The environmental permit enables the project to move forward and participate in the 2025 auction, – said Michał Jerzy Kołodziejczyk, Country Manager of Equinor in Poland.

The Bałtyk offshore wind farm projects – Baltyk 2&3 and 1, offer a significant opportunity for Polish companies to enter the global offshore sector supply chain. Equinor and Polenergia have organized a series of supplier meetings, attracting participation from over 300 domestic enterprises. Numerous Polish companies have already been contracted to, including several as tier-1 suppliers. Supply chain analysis for Bałtyk 1 has also commenced, aimed at identifying collaboration opportunities for interested firms. Initial contractor meetings are set to take place soon.

The Bałtyk 1 wind farm, has a planned capacity of up to 1,560 MW, would be located 81 kilometers offshore. Electricity generated by the farm would be transmitted to a connection point at the Krzemienica substation, which is being developed by the Polish Transmission System Operator (PSE). The onshore connection infrastructure would be located in the municipalities of Ustka and Redzikowo, in the Pomeranian Voivodeship.

The environmental decision process for the Bałtyk 1 project was preceded by comprehensive and detailed studies and analyses aimed at gathering data for the Environmental Impact Assessment Report. This report included various analyses and simulations, such as modeling the spread of underwater noise during monopile foundation installation and estimating bird collision risks with wind turbines during operation. The report concluded that the proposed technical and organizational solutions would effectively mitigate the environmental impact of the Bałtyk 1 project.

Polenergia and Equinor are jointly developing three offshore wind projects—Bałtyk 1, Bałtyk 2, and Bałtyk 3—with a combined capacity of up to 3,000 MW, sufficient to power 4 million households with clean energy. First power from the Bałtyk 2 and Bałtyk 3 projects is expected to flow in 2027. These two farms will have a combined capacity of 1,440 MW.